Curtain



A. WEBER 3,106,240

CURTAIN Oct. 8, 1963 Filed Nov. 2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hum/v0.62 lA/EB ER A. WEBER v Oct. 8, 1963 CURTAIN 5 Sheets-Shem. 5

Filed .Nov. 2, 1954 IP/VEr/TORK HLEXAHOER United "States Patent "ICC 3,106,240 CURTAIN Alexander Weber, Zollikofem'near Bern, Switzerland, assignor to Hans Beer, Bern, and Firma Awepa, Zollikofen, near Bern, Switzerland Filed Nov. 2, 1954, Ser. No. 466,389 Claims priority, application Switzerland Nov. 5, 1953 1 Claim. (Cl. 160-196) This invention relates to a curtain comprising a plurality of elastically resilient, strip-shaped lamellae made of thin, membrane-like material, each lamella hanging at its upper narrow end and there being supporteddisplaceably along a rail by means of a runner element, whereby said lamelae are loosely coupled among themselves in a lateral row.

One embodiment of the inventionis shown, by way of example, in the drawings accompanying this specification and forming part thereof. -In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2. show, respectively, the one and the other lateral endings of the curtain, with different positions of the lamellae;

FIGS. 3 and 4 afford each a plan view of the lamellae according to FIGS. 1 and 2. respectively;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of the one lateral ending of the curtain, with parts in sectional view;

FIG. 6 shows a vertical section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lamellae according to FIG. 5; 1

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial side view of the other lateral ending of the curtain, with parts in sectional view;

FIG. 9 shows a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8; j

FIG. 10 shows a horizontal section taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a partial side view of a modified structure of a curtain lamella including the holder device destined for its support;

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged longitudinal section taken 7 on line 12--12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a detail of, FIG. 11 on a larger scale;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are each a cross-sectional view of the lamella, taken on lines 14- -14 and 1515, respectively, of FIG. 11; 7

FIG. 16 shows a modified structure as compared to FIG. 13, of the connecting elements belonging to connected lamellar standard pieces, and T FIG. 17 shows a vertical section of the connecting elements illustrated in FIG. 16. v

The illustrated curtain consists of a plurality of elastically resilient, strip-shaped lamellae 11 made of membranelike sheet material whose thickness, in order to promote the flexibility-10f said lamellae and reduce their weight to a desired extent, may measure as little as 0.3 mm; All lamellae 11 are preferably made of sheet metal, in

particular light metal, and have identical profiles similar in shape to the integral sign, showing in the middle part oftheir breadth a plane longitudinal zone 12 and being bent off this plane zone in opposite directions towards either longitudinal edge 13; The upper end of each lamella 11 is fastened in its plane zone 12 to and between two identical holders :14 by means of two rivets 15. The holders 14 are provided each with an eyelet 16 (FIG. 5), whose upper edge is determined by a sidewise projecting part 17, under which is inserted the supporting disc 18 of a suspension hook 19. The parts 17 of the two holders 14 supporting the lamellae 11 are in symmetric position to each other and relative to the plane face of the lamellar zone '12; they form together an annular suspension bearing supported by disc 18, pivoting thus lamella 11 upon 'jiihl iil Patented Oct. 8, 1963 the upper face of the disc and enabling it to revolve round the suspension axis, whilst shaft 20 of the suspension hook 19 extends upwardly between the parts 17 of the bearing; Eyelet 16 is wide enough as to allow for the removal of hook 19 with its disc 18 from the suspension bearing. Hook 19'is hung up in a ring 21 of a slide 23, which is displaceably guided as a runner element in a hollow rail 22.

The hollow rail 22 shows on either side, along a central part 24 for guiding the slides 23, another part 2.7 enclosing a cylindric channel 25 for holding strands 26a and 26b, respestively, of a draw cord 26 (FIG. 6); except for a certain play, these two channels 25 are practically filled out by the respective strands and are connected each with the central hollow 28 by a longitudinal slit 29 sideways. Through this longitudinal slit 29, the draw cord 26 is movably connected with a master runner 30 supporting the foremost end lamella of the curtain (in FIG. 8 on the right). Cast into this master runner is a right-angled coupling element 31, which transversally penetrates into strand 26a of the draw cord by means of two fingers 32 projecting sidewise at a distance from each other (FIGS. 9 and 10) and which provides a loop 33 projecting from the lower end of slide 30 in order to support lamella 11 by means of its hook 19. Fastened to the end of rail 22 adjoining this coupled lamella is a piece 34 forming a cord return device, whilst the other end of the rail (FIG. 5) is equipped with a cord deflecting device 35, which deflects the two draw cords 26a and 26b issuing from the horizontal rail channels 25 downward. The draw cord 26 may be endless and reaches down to a height convenient for use. Such endless draw cord might be propelled by an electromotor, e.g. via a worm gear. 7

The lamella nearest to the deflecting device 35 (FIGS. 5 and 7) is connected via shaft 20 of hook 19 by means of a tape 36 with an angle piece 37 screwed onto rail 22; this tape determines the maximum displacement range of the lamella from the respective end of the rail.

The two holders 14 of a lamella 11, extend with one arm 38 each broadwise on the lamella in opposite directions and hear at the outward end of each such arm an upstanding pin 39 and 39', respectively. The pins 3 9 on the one side of all lamellae and the pins 39' on the other side of all lamellae are connected with one another by are all identical, so that tapes 4t) and 40 being extended,

the lamellae are in corresponding swivelling position. Draw cords 42 and 42' are attached to the tape endings 40 and 40 facing the angle piece 3 7. From these tapeendings, draw cords 42 and 42' run through holes 43 and 43 respectively, in bracket 37 and, from there, hang down to a height comfortably to reach. The swivelling position of the lamellae can be adjusted by pulling the one or the other draw cord. In FIGS. ,1 and 3 the lamellae are shown in maximum open position and in FIGS. 2 and 4 in half-shut position, whilst in FIG. 7 both the aforementioned positions as well as the entirely shut position of the lamellae are indicated. In the latterposition the longitudinal edges 13 of the lamellae nearly touch or lap somewhat over those of the adjacent lamellae.

A change vof the swivelling position of the lamellae could also be obtained by mounting on rail 22 an adjustable stop 49 co-operating with one of the two pins 39 and 39 of the lamella which is foremost during the unfolding movement of the curtain; this stop would detain the respective pin, while the continued unfolding move ment by means of the draw cord '26 causes the change of the swivelling position of the lamellae;

.If metal lamellae are used, each is enveloped at its lower end by a sheath 44 lying on the side face of the\ lamella and covering its lower edge in order to exclude the danger of injuries by this edge. This sheath preferably consists of some artificial material, e.g. plastics, such as the materifl being traded under the name of neoprene and characterized by its toughness and resistivity against cutting. The sheaths 44 also serve as weights on the lamellae and as shock absorbers preventing the clinking of the lamellae, when knocked against each other. A collar 45 made of the same artificial material and fitted to the upper part of each lamella serves the same purpose. One or more such collars 45 may be placed on each or only every other lamella. In their lower portion on both sides the lamellae are each provided with a hook 46 in the middle of their breadth; a rod link chain 47 links this hook with the hook of the facing side of the adjacent lamella. These hooks 46 may be formed as double hooks with rivetable shafts passing through the lamella, Whilst the end lamella carries only a single hook 48. Instead of with hooks, each lamella could be provided with a hole with strengthened borders, through which runs a cord, e.g. of nylon, bearing immediately before and behind each hole knotted thickenings which cannot slip through the holes.

The preferred metal lamellae are made as thin as possible not only in order to save material and reduce the weight, but also for reasons connected with their manufacture and transport; they can thus be brought into cylindric form like foil, without losing their elasticity so that, in stretched position, they assume again their curved profile providing them with a greater stiffness in longitudinal than in latitudinal direction.

Instead of metal, the material of the lamellae may be artificial, e.g. plasticscoloured, mat, or transparent like glass, provided with any transparent or opaque design in order to obtain a modulation of the permeating light, e.g. by absorbing certain parts of the spectrum, or to produce an aesthetic effect.

The specified lamellar curtain is intended for use on the inner side of windows, shop-windows and the like and presents, as compared to blinds with horizontal lamellae, manifold advantages. For instance, the free-hanging lamellae are less expensive as regards material and manufacturing; they are easier to be mounted and have virtually no surfaces favouring the settling of dust; also their efiect is more aesthetic than that of horizontal lamellae which are supported by strap elements mostly situated within the visual field, and which are apt to sag if their thickness, in proportion to their length, is insufiicient. The lamellar curtain requires less displacement effort than the raising and lowering of a Venetian blind, where the full weight of the lamellae must be lifted or their lowering speed be braked in a certain degree. The lamellar curtain affords an unobstructed vista or incidence of light in its entire height and not only when the lamellae are open to full capacity, the broadwise limitation of the visual field, thanks to the extremely thin walls of the lamellae, being insignificant, but also when the swivelling position of the lamellae is partly closed; for the direction of vision, e.g. when looking at a display-window, is more easily adjusted to the setting direction of vertical than of horizontal lamellae. The guiding track of the lamellar curtain may also include curvatures and thus, for instance, be adapted to lateral roundings of a display-window. The same guiding rail 22 may also comprise two lamella-r curtains working in opposite directions, the coupling lamellae of the one being coupled with the one strand of the draw cord, the coupling lamella of the other being coupled with the second strand.

In a modified structure as shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 the single lamella is composed, at least partially, of a plurality of rectangular standard pieces 50 which, as to their basic shape and size, are at least approximately identical. These standard pieces may be made, by way of example, of sheet light metal 0.3 mm. thick, 80 mm. wide and 116 long and are broadwise slightly curved as may be seen from FIG. 15. All standard pieces 50 comprise, in congruent arrangement, two types of connection elements, of which one of either type is required to form, together, a latch-up device for connecting the standard pieces, viz. in the upper portion of each standard piece, two with respect to the latters longitudinal center line, or swivelling axis of the lamella symmetrically arranged, oval open ings 51 (see FIG. 11) whose longitudinal axes run upwards in a slant towards said center line, and, in the lower part of each standard piece, two hooks 53 pressed out of the sheet on the one side face, thus storming crescent-shaped openings 52; same hooks are directed obliquely upwards, oif the longitudinal center line. The width of the opening 51 is suflicient for the transversal passage of hook 53. On the other hand the distance of the opening from the adjacent lateral edge 54 of the standard piece 50 is greater than that of hook 53 so that, in connecting standard pieces, the one of the two hooks can only be introduced into the corresponding opening 51 of the adjacent standard piece, it the curvature of the elastically resilient standard piece is somewhat increased. After the standard piece has returned to its normal curved shape, either hook 53 lies with a curved bearing surface 55 on an equally curved, outside border part of the respective opening 51 (FIG. 13); the unintentional unhinging of the hooks is no longer possible. The connection elements 51 and 53 for providing the described latch-up connection are advantageous insofar as they can be made in a single operation together with the stamping out of the standard piece 50 from the crude sheet strap.

Adjacent and connected standard pieces 50 overlap within the range of the openings 51 and 52 and one face side lies with its entire width on the other, the connection being virtually light-tight. As the standard pieces 50 are stamped out from crude sheet straps supplied from rolls the standard pieces are assembled in the manner shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, where at each standard piece the two adjoining standard pieces contact the former on the same face side, so that the hanging of the composed lamella is automatically vertical like the hanging of a chain, whereas lamellae consisting of one piece only must be carefully straightened. If required, the individual standard pieces can be exchanged and the length of the lamellae freely altered according to local requirements. As compared to a lamella in one piece, a plurality of connected standard pieces effects a distinct vibration damping both as to movement and sound.

The supporting element for the lamella is provided by two identical L-shaped holders 56 of sheet metal, which are rigidly connected with each other by rivets 57 through their horizontal flanges and, on their vertical flanges, are provided each with a hook 58 pressed out from the sheet and corresponding in shape and size to hook 53. To these hooks 58 projecting on opposite sides, is hinged the topmost standard piece 50 of the lamella.

Above hook 58, a part 59 of the sheet of holder 56 is curled up to a tubular shape and encloses a pin 60 standing out in upward direction and provided with a collar 61, which laps over the tubular sheet-part 59 form above. Pins 60 serve the same purpose as pins 39 and 39' of the lamellar curtain previously described; instead of draw tapes 40 and 40, chains (not shown in the drawing) of uniform length may be provided for connecting the pins 60 of adjacent lamellae.

In a modified structure of the connecting devices for the latch-up connection, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first type of connection elements is formed by a longish opening 62 whose upper part is narrowed, whilst the other type consists of a head 63 with a constricted neck 64, pressed out from the plate on the one face side of the standard piece 50. The width of the lower part of the opening 62 is sufiicient for the transversal passage of head 63, whilst that of the upper part of the opening is just sufiicient for holding neck 64. In this case, holders 56,

too, are provided with a head each instead of with a hook 58.

The lamellae of the curtain may also consist of two or more types of standard pieces difiering from each other only as to their length, and the standard pieces may be connected in a manner other than described. The surface of the standard pieces may be treated so as to produce aesthetic effects or maybe provided with ornaments. e.g. by dyeing, printing, corroding, etching, in the case of standard pieces made of light metal preferably also by oxidizing or anodizing. Ornaments 65 on the surface of the standard pieces may also be produced by stamping, as is shown in FIG. 11. Thus, i.e. by treating the surface in one way or another,'the face side of the standard pieces may be used for advertising purposes. 'Also, aesthetic and advertising eifects may be obtained by providing openings in the standard pieces and by placing transparent elements in such openings. The standard pieces may also be made of artificial material such as artificial resin.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that the same is capable of further modification without departure from the general scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

For use in a blind, in combination, a plurality of slat sections made from thin elastically resilient material and being arranged in a crow extending in one direction and substantially in one plane, each of said sections having a top end portion and a bottom end portion, the bottom end portions of said sections overlapping the top end portions of the adjacent sections; connecting means located in said overlapping portions and connecting said sections to each other tiltable about respective, axes located in said plane and substantially normal to said direction so that said connected sl-at sections form an elongated slat member, said connecting means comprising a pair of hook members outwardly inclined in opposite directions to said one direction and on one of said overlapping portions of each section, and the other portion of each section being formed with a pair of cutouts, said hook members of one section projecting into the cutouts of the adjacent section, said hook members having free ends spaced from each other in a direction transverse to said one direction farther than said cutouts, whereby by curving the portion on which the hook members are formed the distance between the free ends thereof may be reduced so that said thook members may be removed from and inserted in said cutouts; and suspension means for suspending said slat member at the upper end thereof so that said sections align each other in a vertical plane under the action of the force of gravity.

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